Time course of pharmacokinetic and hormonal effects of inhaled high-dose salvinorin A in humans.
Matthew W Johnson, Katherine A Maclean, Michael J Caspers, Thomas E Prisinzano, Roland R. Griffiths
Journal of Psychopharmacology April 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116629125 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 6 |
| Population | Healthy adults |
| Intervention | Salvinorin A |
| Dose | 21 mcg/kg (n=4), 18 mcg/kg (n=2) |
| Duration | 60 min post-inhalation for effect ratings, 90 min post-inhalation for blood samples |
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Keywords | Cortisol Endocrine Prolactin Pharmacokinetics pharmacokinetics Bloodstream Rapid onset Decline Levels Impacts the body Peaks Quickly Tracking Psychoactive compound Work Inhalation method Drug effects effects Participant experiences Correlating Linked |
| Citations | 11 |
| Post-publication review | 1 comment on PubPeer (opens in new tab) · last active September 2016 |
| Key findings | Plasma levels of vaporized salvinorin A peak at 2 minutes post-inhalation and are significantly positively correlated with participant and monitor drug effect ratings. |
Abstract
Salvinorin A is a kappa opioid agonist and the principal psychoactive constituent of the Salvia divinorum plant, which has been used for hallucinogenic effects. Previous research on salvinorin A pharmacokinetics likely underestimated plasma levels typically resulting from the doses administered due to inefficient vaporization and not collecting samples during peak drug effects. Six healthy adults inhaled a single high dose of vaporized salvinorin A (n = 4, 21 mcg/kg; n = 2, 18 mcg/kg). Participant- and monitor-rated effects were assessed every 2 min for 60 min post-inhalation. Blood samples were collected at 13 time points up to 90 min post-inhalation. Drug levels peaked at 2 min and then rapidly decreased. Drug levels were significantly, positively correlated with participant and monitor drug effect ratings. Significant elevations in prolactin were observed beginning 5 min post-inhalation and peaking at 15 min post-inhalation. Cortisol showed inconsistent increases across participants. Hormonal responses were not well correlated with drug levels. This is the first study to demonstrate a direct relationship between changes in plasma levels of salvinorin A and drug effects in humans. The results confirm the efficacy of an inhalation technique for salvinorin A.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on salvia divinorum, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacokinetics of the potent hallucinogen, salvinorin A in primates parallels the rapid onset and short duration of effects in humans. Adult female baboons | 2008 | Observational cohort | n = 6 |
| Salvia divinorum: effects and use among YouTube users. YouTube video posters using salvia | 2010 | Observational study using video analysis | n = 34 |
| In vitro stability and metabolism of salvinorin A in rat plasma. Rat plasma | 2009 | Observational study | |
| Salvia divinorum: exposures reported to a statewide poison control system over 10 years. Exposures to Salvia divinorum reported to the California Poison Control System | 2011 | Retrospective review | n = 37 |
| A Content Analysis of Salvia Divinorum Use on YouTube Users who posted videos of themselves using Salvia divinorum on YouTube | 2013 | Observational study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Clinical applications of hallucinogens: A review. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology August 1, 2016
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Salvinorin A and Salvia divinorum: Clinical and Forensic Aspects Pharmaceuticals February 3, 2021
- Naltrexone but Not Ketanserin Antagonizes the Subjective, Cardiovascular, and Neuroendocrine Effects of Salvinorin-A in Humans The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology February 12, 2016
- Salvinorin A in humans: A systematic review of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety Journal of Psychopharmacology August 25, 2026
- Chemical syntheses of the salvinorin chemotype of KOR agonist. Natural Product Reports November 18, 2020
and 1 more in the library
Cites 19
- Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences September 3, 2002
- Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M.). Journal of Ethnopharmacology May 1, 1983
- Pattern of use and subjective effects of Salvia divinorum among recreational users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence November 8, 2006
- Salvinorin A: the "magic mint" hallucinogen finds a molecular target in the kappa opioid receptor. TIPS - Trends in Pharmacological Sciences March 1, 2003
- Dose-related effects of salvinorin A in humans: dissociative, hallucinogenic, and memory effects. Psychopharmacology March 1, 2013
and 14 more in the library